Hey

I thought this thread would come in handy- Feel free to add:

TIPS ON DE-CLUTTERING.


1. Only pull out what you CAN away within 30minutes- otherwise to much will get you overwhelmed

2. What you haven't used/Worn with 12 months- either Sell/Throw/Give Away

3. I Thoroughly sort through Kids Room- Toys etc every 3-6months- Chuck out broken toys/Pack Away Outgrown.

4. If you BORROW something return it within 1 week or ASAP- otherwise it adds to your clutter

5. Decide on LIMITS_ eg- How many Frying pans do you REALLY need- be Honest.

6. When Shopping- Think -- DO I REALLY NEED IT OR DO I JUST WANT IT- Needs and Wants are completely different.

hugs

Liz

Just adding my thoughts but the problem is getting motivated

TIPS ON DE-CLUTTERING.


1. Only pull out what you CAN away within 30minutes- otherwise to much will get you overwhelmed

2. What you haven't used/Worn with 12 months- either Sell/Throw/Give Away

3. I Thoroughly sort through Kids Room- Toys etc every 3-6months- Chuck out broken toys/Pack Away Outgrown.

4. If you BORROW something return it within 1 week or ASAP- otherwise it adds to your clutter

5. Decide on LIMITS_ eg- How many Frying pans do you REALLY need- be Honest.

6. When Shopping- Think -- DO I REALLY NEED IT OR DO I JUST WANT IT- Needs and Wants are completely different.

7. Go round your house and throw out at least one bag of rubbish a day.

8. Put everything out of a draw from your kitchen and into a box, pull out as you need to use it and anything left in there after 12mths throw out.

9. Sort paper as it arrives and throw out straight away what you don't need and note on a calander dates to remember.

Hope this helps somewhat. I'll be watching what others say

My mother always says (and apparently my granmother also said it) "Never waste a trip". When you're heading to the other end of the house, take something that needs to be put away at that end with you!

Clean as you go - Do not leave it to do another time.

Declutter each day - a shelf, a drawer etc. Keep the spots that clutter tends to build clear. You know the places I mean. For me it's the kichen bench and the dining table!!

Keeping the house clear of clutter is a daily habit not a once off project.

Motivation is my hardest hurdle, so I bribe myself, if I want a new book then i must donate/sell 2 old ones, this works for clothes, toys, towels, garden eqipment etc etc...

Set a timer for 15 mins, then have a break. If your feeling really unmotivated then set the timer for 5 mins. DONT pull out more than you can so in that time.

Start small, every little bit counts and its more motivating when you see that just doing that little thing has made a difference and the sense of accoplishment grows the more little things you do!

Write down what you want to achieve and mark it off as you get a few things done, that really helps the motivation levels. Check out the MP thread for each day, they are good!

My tip is to think about what you want the room to feel/look like before you start. If you have a target it is easier to work towards then a vague I want less.
For example do you want a beach feel? Holiday house look? Exotic Bali?
This way you will know what belongs and what doesn't.

Today is "throw out Thursday" in our house, everyone has to throw out at least one thing, I have already made one trip to the Vinnies bin. sassy mum

Writting things down is my best thing, I write down what i have to do in each room and i start with the hardest and end up with the easiest.I also tend to find that if you have music blarring in the background you cna get through it all abit faster.

I never throw out a empty nappy box, as soon as I empty one I fill it with things for vinnies. seems crazy but it worked for me this year. It coincided with rearranging our house and painting but as soon as a box was empty I went looking for things to fill it. At the moment I have a pile of box-less nappies in ds room.

Great list! I would add one that's worked great for me:


- If the job will take two minutes or less to get it done, DO IT NOW.

This generally applies to making the bed, taking out the rubbish, putting that stray piece of Lego inside its storage container (or whatever toy or item you come across).

Check out the FLYLADY website www.flylady.com as it is all about de-cluttering and getting your home into shape. Her idea is that any house work is better than none. She has baby steps to getting your home the way you want it.

I was just about the suggest the exact same thing.
Her Facebook is also a great place for motivation - www.facebook.com/theflylady